Department: Department of the Air Force
Location(s): Fort Smith, Arkansas
Salary Range: $59980 - $69998 Per Year
Job Summary: Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. The primary purpose of this position is to support all flying organizations and transient aircrews with aircrew flight equipment needed to fly safely. The incumbent inspects, fabricates, assembles, modifies, and repairs articles that are difficult to plan lay out, construct, and fit because of figure irregularities, uncommon shapes and sizes, or unusual design.
Major Duties:
Qualifications: In order to qualify, you must meet the quality level of experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook X-118C. QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Qualification Standard Handbook X-118C for the WG-4800 General Equipment Maintenance Group. Although a specific length of time and experience is not required for most blue-collar positions, you must meet any screen-out element listed, and show through experience and training that you possess the quality level of knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of the position at the level for which you are applying. Qualification requirements emphasis is on the quality of experience, not necessarily the length of time. The screen out element for this position is the ability to do the work of an AIRCRAFT SURVIVAL AND FLIGHT EQUIPMENT REPAIRER without more than normal supervision. JOB ELEMENTS: Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: 1. Knowledge of assigned aircrafts' aircrew flight and survival equipment and chemical/biological defense equipment inspections and maintenance procedures using, fitting, and caring for aircrew flight equipment and chemical/biological defense equipment and related supply procedures. Knowledge of Technical Orders and Manuals associated with maintenance and repair of aircraft survival and flight equipment. 2. Knowledge of a variety of common fabrics, webbings, tapes, and textile materials, to include their finishes, performance, and handling characteristics such as dimensional stability, abrasion resistance, and heat sensitivity. Knowledge of Environmental Compliance Issues associated with maintenance and repair of aircraft survival and flight equipment. 3. Knowledge of parachute construction; temperature and humidity effects on parachutes and other fabrics; and characteristics of rubberized items as well as the effects of solvent, heat, and pressure on rubber. Knowledge of safety requirements, practices, and procedures including the proper handling, use, and disposal of hazardous waste, materials, and pyrotechnics as outlined in applicable standards, manuals, and directives. 4. Knowledge in inspection and repair criteria for all types of nylon parachute canopies. Skill in fitting items to spaces or locations with unique parameters, unusual shapes, or obstructions such as piping systems or braces. 5. Knowledge of shop mathematics, e.g., fractions, equations, and plane measurements and tools and tool control procedures. Ability to demonstrate and explain proper usage and operation of aircrew flight and .survival equipment; make working sketches and complicated cutting layouts; draw patterns or adjust standard patterns; fit items to spaces with unusual parameters or obstructions; input and extract data from a database using a keyboard (a qualified typist is not required); set up, operate, and perform minor maintenance of equipment used in performing duties. 6. Knowledge of the safe handling, use, and storage or Class IV munitions associated with this career field and as well as a variety of HazMat to include glues, adhesives, solvents, greases, and cleaners. Ability to learn/follow direction on intermediate level rigging of parachute and aerial delivery platforms used for testing. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. PHYSICAL EFFORT: Requires prolonged standing, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, lifting, and working in cramped, strained and uncomfortable positions performing inspections and maintenance on AFE equipment. Requires considerable use of arms, hands, and fingers to use power tools and inspect a variety of AFE equipment. Frequently lifts and carries items that weigh 30 to 50 pounds independently and occasionally lifts heavier items up to 150 pounds with assistance. Will be required to work in hot, cold, and inclement environments. WORKING CONDITIONS: The majority of the work will be performed in a temperature controlled environment; however, some tasks will require work on the flight line in hot, cold, and inclement weather. Subject to high noise levels while working on or around aircraft Possibility of bruises, punctures, scratches, and other injuries caused by handling sharp tools and materials treated with special finishes. They may work on ladders and scaffolds. Some danger involved in handling munitions and high pressure oxygen cylinders and working in and around ejection seat aircraft. May be exposed to ionizing radiation if broken compasses are mishandled. Workers are exposed to caustic fumes from adhesives and may be exposed to body fluids while cleaning oxygen equipment. The supervisor will provide personal protective equipment.
How to Apply: The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 01/23/2026 To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12868408 To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the application questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Application button at the end of the process. To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: 1. Your Resume. If you submit more than one resume, only the most recent will be reviewed. The "most recent" is considered the resume with the latest timestamp. Resumes may not exceed two pages. The two-page resume ensures the most relevant experience is reviewed and considered, which is a common practice in both the public and private sectors. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. Additional information on how to complete or update your resume may be located here. For qualification determination your resume must contain hours worked per week and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient, and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series and grade, i.e. GS-0301-09. Current Federal Civilian Employees may list any relevant performance related rating (given within the last three years) and/or incentive awards in your resume. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your name, first and last, MUST be included on your resume. 2. A complete Application Questionnaire 3. Additional Required Documents (see Required Documents section). Ensure all submitted documents contain your full name. 4. Help recruiters find you. Make your resume and profile searchable, which means recruiters may contact you about possible jobs. Additional information may be located here. PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan. Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant.
Application Deadline: 2026-01-23